Library Development

2012 Public Library Survey opens soon

Plans are underway to launch the 2012 Public Library Survey on Feb. 8 and close it on March 31.The link to the survey is collect.btol.com.

Two webinars are scheduled to help answer questions and to show some of the new aspects of the survey. We would like every library director to attend one of the webinars. Choose Feb. 14 or March 14. To register for a webinar go to library.sd.gov.

Each library has a senior librarian assigned to assist with any specific questions or issues. We can also help you find your login and password if you have misplaced it, but they have not changed from previous years. Please note which librarian your library is assigned to and direct your questions to them as follows:

Digital state publications now online

As mentioned in the last Cornerstone, the State Library is now putting digital state government publications online. Publications are now linked via the SDLN library catalog, and they are also Google searchable. A recent addition to the catalog, and timely since we are now into the legislative session, is Governor Daugaard's FY 2014 budget proposal. Search for "state of South Dakota governor's budget" in ALEPH, then click on the electronic resource link that has "2014." Be patient, however, as this one takes a long time to load with over 300 pages.

State Library receives excellent review from the Foundation Center

Last year the Foundation Center Regional Training Coordinator, Dave Holmes, made a site visit to the State Library. The State Library is a Cooperating Collection of the Foundation Center, offering in-house access to the impressive Foundation Directory Online Database for grant searching. As part of his visit, Dave also did an excellent training session on Proposal Writing Basics which was very well attended. In the assessment report, which was received in December, Dave commended the trainings offered by the State Library, the promotion of the database, and the promotion of his training session during his visit.

From marketing to learning commons – book reviews

Reviewed by Jane Healy

This book offers marketing information for libraries of all types by librarians of all types from different areas in the U.S. The 29 contributing writers possess marketing experience and success and tell readers how to achieve success, too. "The editors hope Marketing Your Library will prove a practical help to librarians," (p. 3).

Customer service is a library's strength and highest level of impact, according to Wayne E. Finley, author of this book's first chapter. Finley likens one-on-one helping patrons to tried-and-true sales techniques, showing that library staff are already good salespeople.

What is your library brand promising to your patrons? A brand is more than visuals; it is a promise, says chapter author Christine A. Olson.

Need to run a promotional campaign? Christina Stoll gives a three-step how-to and message examples in Chapter 3.

Part I concludes with chapters on marketing school and public libraries.

Part II focuses on marketing strategy tips on do's and don'ts that will help make your library part of your community’s culture.

Part III, Finding Resources, shows how to market your library at little or no cost, by yourself or with community partners. A chapter on marketing small and rural public libraries will give ideas to many libraries in South Dakota.

In general, librarians don't brag enough. "Flaunt it if you've got it!" says chapter author Karen J. Wanamaker. Her chapter and the others in Part IV, Getting Recognized, will help publicize your library in various media. Part V, Media Matters, continues the discussion, from press release text to Twitter. The last chapter in this section, Blinding Glimpses of the Obvious by Joanne King, gives easy tips for continuous, positive media attention.

Part VI promotes community partnerships with outreach activities and a "who, what, when, where" approach. The book concludes with Part VII, Event Planning and Implementation, which contains good information on creating a library service or community fair.

This book will stimulate creative thinking about your own library marketing efforts and help you turn thoughts into reality for a more vital interaction with your patrons.

This and other books about marketing for libraries are available from the State Library, library.sd.gov.

Reviewed by Julie Erickson

What does the term "Learning Commons" mean? And what does it mean for my school library? These kind of questions are answered in this step-by-step description of how the author transformed her traditional school library into a vibrant, active learning commons where students gather to do projects, teachers plan lessons and collaboration abounds. The seven steps in the book describe the process along with any potential roadblocks or excuses. Each chapter has a concise to-do list at the end with achievable tasks. Many pictures, screenshots and examples of reports and surveys are included in the book. It is a quick, conversational read that may inspire you to make changes to your library! This book and others on Learning Commons are available from the State Library, library.sd.gov.

The Cornerstone monthly e-newsletter is created by the South Dakota State Library. For more information on how to be a part of this newsletter, please contact us via e-mail with your questions and ideas.